Over 70 inches of snow has fallen on Orion Township since November 2008 and it keeps on coming.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the Detroit-metro area has about ten inches on the ground. Alpena has between 27 and 30. The Keweenaw Peninsula in the UP reportedly has upwards of 36 (though this writers’s educated guess is upwards of 46).
‘It’s been quite a winter,? said Dan Nelder, a dispatcher and driver for Buckhorn Towing. ‘We’re pretty busy.?
Nelder says as soon as the snow starts falling, their office gets phone calls for stuck, broken down and banged up vehicles.
‘The most common calls are the stuck calls,? he says, estimating that this year is the busiest and snowiest of the last three.
Nelder adivises drivers to slow down and always be aware of weather conditions. He notes sometimes roads can fool drivers.
Mike Olsen at the village’s Department of Public Works (DPW) says road crews are trying to keep up with the weather as best they can.
‘We’re doing well and adjusting accordingly, keeping the budget in mind,? he said.
In an effort to stay within budgetary limits, Olsen says two workers volunteered to change their schedule to reduce overtime hours.
The men now work from 4 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. instead of 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The early start helps get parking and sidewalks cleared in time for early-risers.
The DPW is keeping a close watch on salt use, too, to help the budget.
‘We don’t use salt until the snow stops falling to save on supplies,? said Olsen.
The NWS reportes that, on average, this year’s winter has been seven degrees colder than last winter. And since November, there’s been only four days the temperature has gotten above the freezing point.
By Megan Hess
Review Staff Writer
Over 70 inches of snow has fallen on Orion Township since November 2008 and it keeps on coming.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the Detroit-metro area has about ten inches on the ground. Alpena has between 27 and 30. The Keweenaw Peninsula in the UP reportedly has upwards of 36 (though this writers’s educated guess is upwards of 46).
‘It’s been quite a winter,? said Dan Nelder, a dispatcher and driver for Buckhorn Towing. ‘We’re pretty busy.?
Nelder says as soon as the snow starts falling, their office gets phone calls for stuck, broken down and banged up vehicles.
‘The most common calls are the stuck calls,? he says, estimating that this year is the busiest and snowiest of the last three.
Nelder adivises drivers to slow down and always be aware of weather conditions. He notes sometimes roads can fool drivers.
Mike Olsen at the village’s Department of Public Works (DPW) says road crews are trying to keep up with the weather as best they can.
‘We’re doing well and adjusting accordingly, keeping the budget in mind,? he said.
In an effort to stay within budgetary limits, Olsen says two workers volunteered to change their schedule to reduce overtime hours.
The men now work from 4 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. instead of 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The early start helps get parking and sidewalks cleared in time for early-risers.
The DPW is keeping a close watch on salt use, too, to help the budget.
‘We don’t use salt until the snow stops falling to save on supplies,? said Olsen.
The NWS reportes that, on average, this year’s winter has been seven degrees colder than last winter. And since November, there’s been only four days the temperature has gotten above the freezing point.
According to Olsen, the DPW is running out of places to put the downtown snow.
‘The temperatures have played a big role – the snow’s not melting and we have no place to put it,? he said.
The below-average temps can also create dangerous road conditions.
The DPW can only use salt to remove ice and snow above a certain temperature. Below that, they rely on plowing and sand to help drivers and pedestrians.
Olsen asks residents to be patient with road crews.
‘Our first priority is to keep main roads open and clear for emergency vehicles and bus routes,? he said.
And Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh applaudes them for it.
‘We have a better response ability because we have a responsible DPW,? he said. ‘I tip my hat to them.?
The police force has been dealing with their own weather-related issues this winter.
Because of the extreme temperatures, their electronic equipment malfunctions more often, and when the mercury drops below zero, there’s the worry of patrol vehicles starting.
Narsh reminds residents and business owners alike to keep shoveling sidewalks, especially those on school walking routes.
As far as snow removal ordinance violations go, the code officer tries to be as fair and reasonable as possible.
‘What we’re seeking is voluntary compliance. It’s a safety issue,? said Narsh.
Since November, code officers have issued well over 100 warnings, but only ten citations.
‘Let’s face it – it’s been an abnormal year,? Narsh said. ‘Everyone’s been challenged.?